" Jane, are you going to do this?” Caleb Baker looked at his sister, cautiously asking.
"What are you blabbering about, after spending so much money and effort to get this legal certificate, isn't it a loss not to use it?" Jane looked at her brother's cautious appearance and silently rolled her eyes.
"But Jane ... it's kind of inappropriate for a single, childless woman like you to do this..." Caleb continued to persuade his sister. "Shut up. I've got a legal certificate from the state, how can it be inappropriate? What law have I broken?" Jane waved the white paper in her hand. "No..." Caleb tried to find words to refute, "You're breaking our family's rules. Jane, you're only 29, why are you thinking about not getting married and living alone? You even spent so much money to buy a legal permit to use a sperm bank."
"Isn't it because our parents are so nagging? A few days ago, I saw our neighbor's niece and fell in love with her. While doting on her, I started nagging— after all, I’m disappointed in men, and I have enough money to raise not just one, but two children.” This was no lie. Jane, a fashion designer at a well-known clothing design company, was known for her innovative ideas and bold use of color and had won many awards, making her a person with a great future.
"But you can't do this..." Caleb looked like he was about to cry.
"What can't I do? I always make careful decisions and never regret them. Plus, you're an expert in this field, I trust your skills."
The Baker siblings had achievements in different fields, one as a fashion designer, and the other as a domestic expert in IVF research.
"I have performed this surgery for many women who were incapable of having children, that's why they came to me... there's never been a woman as bold as you..."
At last, Caleb said what he had been thinking, finally letting out a sigh of relief.
"I guess, I’m not meant to get married." Suddenly, Jane became quiet, "But I hope my future isn't just me alone, that's too lonely." ...Caleb looked at Jane, thinking of sighing. He knew his sister's personality, once a decision is made, not even eight bulls could pull her back. His persuasion wouldn't make a difference, and knowing her, she'd have the procedure done elsewhere if he didn't perform it. Ultimately, Caleb gave in due to his concern for his sister.
"Go choose your child's father." Reluctantly agreeing, Caleb took his sister to a freezer, opened it, and inside were rows of little white "jellies."
"They are all exceptional men," Caleb said to his sister, "For instance, this one…" He was about to introduce the origin of these "jelly beans", including the men's physical characteristics, personalities, education, and professions, when Jane stopped him. "In matters like these, it's more about fate. I didn't want to meet with the father of my child in the first place, so I don't care about their origins." Jane waved her hand dismissively, showing… an extraordinary assertiveness… Just then, she noticed a lonely "jelly bean" placed at the very end of all the "jelly beans". Although all the "jelly beans" looked identical, for some reason, Jane found this particular "jelly bean" especially appealing. She picked out this "jelly bean" and handed it to Caleb. "This is the one!" …
Ten months later.Jane's parents received the news that their daughter was going to have a baby.
"Jane, that girl, is having a baby and didn't even tell us…" Jane's mother covered her mouth, barely able to contain her smile. The daughters of Old Baker, Emma Baker, and Derek Baker next door either had boyfriends, were married, or had children. Only their daughter Jane, at this age, didn't even have a boyfriend.
However, as their daughter was out and about, rarely coming back home, they couldn't manage to interfere with her much. They could only urge her during phone calls, but it didn't make much difference.
Their daughter, not to brag, was quite attractive, had a good figure, was tall, well-cultured, and well-educated, and also earned a good salary.
In short, she was doing quite well in all aspects, except for the lack of a man in her life.
They never expected to receive a call from Caleb today, saying that his sister was about to give birth.
The news certainly delighted the old couple. They hadn’t expected their daughter Jane to accomplish everything all at once, making comparisons with her peers pointless from now on.
Today, Baker's Mother had put on her most beautiful dress and dusted her husband's shoes. She had even put on a bit of perfume, all to leave a good impression on her soon-to-be-met son-in-law.
Standing in front of the hospital room, Baker's Mother took a deep breath and tightened her tummy. Upon opening the door, she saw her daughter’s pale face and, next to her, a child of her daughter whom she had never met before. Baker's Mother immediately walked over to her daughter, "Jane ."
"Mum, you're here...” Jane opened her eyes, her complexion was somewhat pale, but her spirit seemed quite good. "You've lost weight." Baker's Mother touched her daughter's face and said. "No way, I've gained ten pounds." In the meantime, Baker's Father stood beside the baby, looking somewhat at a loss. "By the way, Caleb, is the baby a boy or a girl?" Baker's Father looked up at his son. "It's a boy." Caleb said. "That's great." Baker's Father loved his daughter, but deep down, he still carried a hint of traditional preference for boys.
Hearing this, Baker's Mother seemed a tad displeased. "What do you mean 'that’s great'? Whether our daughter gives birth to a boy or a girl, both are great!"
"Yes, yes, you're right!" Baker's Father said cheerfully.
At this moment, Baker's Mother felt something was off.
She suddenly lifted her head, glancing around the room. Her daughter was giving birth in the best hospital, in a private ward with excellent service.
Furrowing her brows, she stood up and walked towards the restroom door. After knocking and opening the door, finding nobody inside, disappointment etched on her face. "Daughter, where is your husband?" Baker's Mother was eager to see her son-in-law, but upon pushing open the door of the ward, she found he was missing. Assuming he was in the restroom, she was even more disappointed to find it empty.
She was here not only to visit her daughter but her son-in-law too.
"Did he go out to buy something for you?" Baker's Mother sensed the awkwardness on her son's face. She had a faint feeling something wasn't right. Unsure if she was trying to console herself or for some other reason, she asked this question.
"Mom, this child doesn't have a father." Jane was carefully choosing her words.
"What did you say?"
"This child...Doesn't have a father..."